Emission Master Tanks

Storage tank air emission calculations after the retirement of the EPA tool

Emission Master Tanks is the storage tank package from Mitchell Scientific, a company based in Hendersonville, North Carolina that sells environmental software for air emissions. It was positioned as the replacement for the EPA's TANKS 4.09D program, which environmental and plant staff used to estimate emissions from tanks, and it is aimed at people who would otherwise keep those calculations in spreadsheets.

What the calculations are based on

The program works out VOC and HAP emissions from fixed roof and floating roof tanks using the equations in EPA AP-42 Chapter 7. Version 8.4.3 brings the program in line with the newest required Chapter 7.1 rules. The company lists the main changes: tank color, reflective conditions and climate data now enter the result, tank insulation is a calculation factor, the headspace treatment for horizontal tanks was substantially revised, and a more detailed calculation report supports spot validation. Emissions can be calculated for monthly or annual periods. Tank models can be built by hand in the software or brought in directly from Excel, and the site also shows tutorial videos, such as one on roof landing calculations.

Where it fits among the other products

Mitchell Scientific sells two related programs. Emission Master models chemical processes, covering batch and continuous operations with steps such as filling, purging, heating, vacuum, depressurization, gas evolution and solids drying, plus fugitive emissions from fittings, valves and other piping, and combustion sources. Emissions Accountant keeps a plant-wide inventory, tracking emissions over a calendar period or a rolling twelve months and reporting control efficiencies for MON and MACT needs. The company says the platforms also help identify California Proposition 65 compounds in products and process mixtures.

Training and services

Online training sessions are offered for each product and can be arranged for one person or a larger group, in one-hour or two-hour segments, and they can cover the same ground as the company's two-day workshops. Beyond the software, the firm describes engineering and software services: customized process modeling and reports, building and maintaining an emissions inventory, migrating spreadsheet or database data into its programs, chemical engineering analysis, and custom development such as foreign language interfaces.

Emission Master Tanks is Mitchell Scientific's tool for working out air emissions from storage tanks. It was positioned as a replacement for the EPA's retired TANKS 4.09D programme, moving users away from spreadsheets.

Features

• Tank calculations: fixed and floating roof tanks, using EPA AP-42 Chapter 7 equations.
• Version 8.4.3: updated to meet the current mandatory Chapter 7.1 requirements.
• Updated factors: tank colour, reflective conditions, climate data and insulation now count in the result.
• Detailed reports: a calculation report suited to spot checks.
• Flexible periods: emissions for monthly or annual periods.
• Training: online sessions tailored to one person or many.

Who it works with

Environmental and plant staff who handle tank emissions and need to meet EPA methods.

Key facts

• Vendor: Mitchell Scientific, Hendersonville, North Carolina
• Sister products: Emission Master and Emissions Accountant